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The Early Church Fathers on Salvation Outside the Church.

Early Church Fathers
From the Scriptures

— St. Cyprian of Carthage, (A.D. 200-258)
— Lactantius, (A.D. 240-c.330)
— St. Jerome, (A.D. 342-420)

St. Cyprian of Carthage, (A.D. 200-258), North African; bishop; biblical scholar, martyr.

Whoever is separated from the Church and is joined to an adulteress [a schismatic church] is separated from the promises of the Church, nor will he that forsakes the Church of Christ attain to the rewards of Christ. He is an alien, a worldling, and an enemy. He cannot have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother.

The Unity of the Catholic Church 6, 1st ed. [A.D. 251]

Let them not think that the way of life or salvation exists for them, if they have refused to obey the bishops and priests, since the Lord says in the book of Deuteronomy: "And any man who has the insolence to refuse to listen to the priest or judge, whoever he may be in those days, that man shall die" [Deuteronomy 17:12-13]. And then, indeed, they were killed with the sword . . . but now the proud and insolent are killed with the sword of the Spirit, when they are cast out from the Church. For they cannot live outside, since there is only one house of God, and there can be no salvation for anyone except in the Church.

Letters 61[4]:4 [A.D. 253]

The baptism of public witness [desire] and of blood cannot profit a heretic [one who holds the faith and then abandons it] unto salvation, because there is no salvation outside the Church.

Letters 72 [73]:21 [A.D. 253]

Lactantius, (A.D. 240-c.330), was an early Christian author, the goal of his writings was to present Christianity in a form that would be attractive to philosophical pagans.

It is, therefore, the Catholic Church alone that retains true worship. This is the fountain of truth; this, the domicile of faith; this, the temple of God. Whoever does not enter there or whoever does not go out from there, he is a stranger to the hope of life and salvation. . . Because, however, all the various groups of heretics are confident that they are the Christians and think that theirs is the Catholic Church, let it be known that this is the true Church, in which there is confession and penance and which takes a health-promoting care of the sins and wounds to which the weak flesh is subject.

Divine Institutes 4:30:11-13 [A.D. 307]

St. Jerome, (A.D. 342-420), Dalmatian; born in Strido; priest, hermit, abbot, biblical scholar, translator and Doctor of the Church. In an age distinguished by men of the greatest eloquence and learning, St. Jerome, especially in all matters connected with the Sacred Scriptures, was then preeminent, and has probably never since been equalled.

Heretics bring sentence upon themselves since they by their own choice withdraw from the Church, a withdrawal which, since they are aware of it, constitutes damnation. Between heresy and schism there is this difference: that heresy involves perverse doctrine, while schism separates one from the Church on account of disagreement with the bishop. Nevertheless, there is no schism which does not trump up a heresy to justify its departure from the Church.

Commentary on Titus 3:10-11 [A.D. 386]

The Early Church Fathers taught that those outside of the Catholic Church had no hope of salvation. That is, if they heard the gospel and knowingly rejected it. However, they made an allowance for those who, through no fault of their own, didn't know any better. They didn't see God as being legalistic. Rather they saw a merciful God who judged men by what they did with what they had.

Salvation comes from God alone; but because we receive the life of faith through the Church, she is our mother:

"We believe the Church as the mother of our new birth, and not in the Church as if she were the author of our salvation."

— Faustus of Riez, De Spiritu Sancto 1,2: PL 62,II.

Because she is our mother, she is also our teacher in the faith.

The Church's Scriptures that deals with Salvation outside the Catholic Church:

Jesus, Himself, preaching the Good News states:

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:16

Baptism necessary for salvation

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

John 3:5

Paul teaches us in men will be judged by the purposes of their hearts.

5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Faith is necessary to please God

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6